PRESCOTT COMMUNITY INFORMATION EVENT FOR DIGITAL BROADCAST SERVICE UPGRADE – JULY 25

WHAT: Eight, Arizona PBS will be conducting a community information event for Prescott-area residents to learn about the expanded PBS programming available to them courtesy of the recently upgraded digital broadcast signal via newly installed rural repeater transmitters on Mount Francis. The event will also highlight specific instructions on how to receive the new digital signal, and a public Q&A.Area residents wishing to RSVP for the event should contact Sherry at sherry@azpbs, orcall 602-496-5870.

This service upgrade will:

Bring television viewers within the expanded signal areas free over-the-air access to Eight HD (DTV 8.1) programming in full high definition video;

Bring Eight’s broadcast signal to rural Arizonans within an expanded coverage area, in some cases up to four times larger than the current service area;

Provide access to the SunSounds reading service for the visually impaired via 8.4 secondary audio.

Eight, Arizona PBS has also provided informational resources on its website at www.azpbs.org/digital, including step-by-step instructions for channel re-scanning, and information about use of antennas, and other technical support.

WHO:Eight, Arizona PBS General Manager Kelly McCullough and Eight, Arizona PBS development and support staff. This event is free to attend, and open to the public.

WHERE: Adult Center, 1280 East Rosser Street, Prescott, AZ 86301

WHEN: Thursday, July 25th, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

PHOTO OPPS:Eight, Arizona PBS General Manager Kelly McCullough presents details about the variety of Eight channels and programming that will be available now to rural Arizonans. Eight, Arizona PBS Associate Director of Development Gary McMahan demonstrates how to receive the new digital broadcast signal, using an analog television with a digital converter box, as well as a digital television. A public question and answer session follows the presentations.

About Eight, Arizona PBS

Eight, Arizona PBS is a trusted community resource. For 50 years, the PBS station has focused on educating children, reporting in-depth on public affairs, fostering lifelong learning and celebrating arts and culture. Eight achieves its mission through the power of noncommercial television, the Internet, educational outreach and community-based initiatives. Its signal reaches 86 percent of the homes in Arizona. With more than 1 million viewers weekly, Eight consistently ranks among the most-viewed public television stations per capita in the country. For more information, visit azpbs.org.

Eight is a member-supported service of Arizona State University.

Acquisition and installation of these digital translators and the resulting service expansion was made possible by grant funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Public Television Digital Transition Grant Program, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s Digital Distribution Fund and The Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation.